Homemade Spaghetti Sauce #YesYouCAN

My favorite spaghetti sauce recipe always starts with Hunt’s canned tomatoes. Making a homemade spaghetti sauce scares some people to death but it could not be easier! Literally, you just dump the cans, add a little spice, toss in some meatballs, and it is ready in about 20 minutes.

Perfect for a weeknight dinner and great over spaghetti squash, stuffed pasta, or even in lasagna.

The first thing I ever learned to cook from scratch was homemade spaghetti sauce.

Back in those days, monosodium glutamate was an ingredient you could pick up in the spice aisle. Yes… things have changed quite a bit and so has my spaghetti sauce recipe.

The spices are simple to find and nothing scary like MSG. Yikes! I use dried spices (except for fresh garlic from the produce section because I think it tastes amazing), but you could use fresh herbs it you want.

Cook’s tip: You can convert from dry spice to fresh herbs by multiplying by three. Remember that fresh herbs should be added at the end to maintain the best flavor.

If you want to use dry garlic in place of fresh, divide by three.

You can also adjust the amount of garlic based on your personal preference.

But I am really making this more complicated than it is. Truly, this is the best but easiest homemade spaghetti sauce recipe.

Canned tomatoes are an amazing alternative to store-bought tomatoes. They are more affordable too, regardless of the season.

And when it comes to making dinner happen faster…

1. Dump the cans;

2. Add the spice;

3. Stir in some cooked ground beef or meatballs;

4. Heat through;

5. And, EAT!

Psst… If you prefer a vegetable-based sauce, see how I use this recipe as the base for my Vegetarian Spaghetti.

This spaghetti sauce recipe is easy and amazingly flavorful. That’s why my family demands it for dinner at least twice a month.

Cook’s Note: Do not skip the honey. If you are out of honey, you can substitute brown sugar. You really need the sweet to balance the acidity in the tomatoes.

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Homemade spaghetti sauce has never been this easy to still taste so good!

1 tablespoon olive oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons dried basil

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 pinch red pepper flakes

2 tablespoons honey

1 (28 ounce) can Hunt's Crushed Tomatoes

1 (28 ounce) can Hunt's Tomato Sauce

In a stock pot, heat olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Stir in garlic and cook for about a minute.

Carefully dump tomatoes from both cans into the pot. Fill one can halfway with water. Pour from can to can to capture all of the tomatoes, and add to the pot.

Add seasonings and stir well.

If you wish to add cooked ground meat or meatballs, bring the sauce to a boil first. Add meat and return to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and cook according to meatball directions (about 20 to 30 minutes).